Mark Introduction - SYM 7/2/25

Who, When, Why?

1st - What does Gospel mean? We have four of them and we know they are about the life of Jesus. Does anyone know what the word Gospel means?

Gospel is an old English translation of the word,

εὐαγγελίζω - euangelizō - “proclaim good news”

Who:

So, this is the Gospel according to Mark.

*Does anyone know who this “Mark” is who wrote this particular Gospel?

John Mark: Hebrew Name (John); Greek Name (Mark)

John’s Mother is mentioned in Acts 12:12 “When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.”

John Mark joined Paul the Apostle and his cousin Barnabas on the first Missionary Journey of Paul recorded in Acts.

Somewhere along the way they had a falling out with Paul (Acts 15:37–40) “Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.”

But then later reconciled and Paul said this about him. (Colossians 4:10) “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),”

Mark is also associated with Peters ministry in Rome. 1 Peter 5:13 “She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.”

“According to early Christian tradition, Peter told Mark all about Jesus’ earthly ministry, and Mark put these accounts in writing.” John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016).

So, this is Mark. A very prominant church leader who rubbed elbows with two of the most highly looked upon apostles in the bible. Paul and Peter.

That’s the WHO...

2. When:

Does anyone have any idea of when this book was written?

The gospel of Mark is widely believed to be the earliest Gospel to be written. Most scholars believe it was probably written either while Peter was still alive in Rome before his execution in the Mid 60’s AD or no later than soon after the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD. This puts the writing of the Gospel of Mark well within the time table where people were actually eye witnesses of Jesus ministry. It especially puts him close to one of the main apostles in during Jesus Ministry, namely Peter.

So, whenever you hear people online say, “All the Gospels were written 100’s of years after Jesus was even alive!” don’t believe them. They don’t know what they are talking about. The Gospel of Matthew and John were both written by the very apostles of Jesus himself and Luke was a first century believer who traveled with Paul and rubbed elbows with the first Apostles as well.

If you remember this was the same time period as when James was most likely written. We studied that earlier this year. Nero, Rome Burning and blaming Jews. The temple was destroyed shortly after Nero in 70 AD. The temperature for Christians was very dependent on their location. The closer to Rome you were the less tolerated you were.

3. Why:

From everything we have just talked about, why might John Mark have written this gospel?

He wanted people to know the truth about Jesus. Pretty simple.

This was most likely written in Rome with Peter or shortly after his death so it was most likely written for a Gentile audience.

It is fast paced and the shortest of the Gospels.

The fist 8 chapters that we are going to start talking about next week are all about Jesus ministry in Galilee. That’s the first half of the book. Then the second half of the book starts Jesus journey into Jerusalem where he will eventually die on a cross.

it’s a fast pace exciting book that is marked often with words like “Immediately”

or “Soon”.

I’m excited about this study and getting a good look at who Jesus was, how he acted, and what he did. My hope is that you will read along, ask questions, and dive deep into the life of Jesus.

Until next week… if you can read chapters 1 and 2 of Mark.